Posts written by Michael J. Mahony

(Note:  Problems with my blog provider prevented this from being published last night.)

Today it became clear to me that unexpected events can bring about expected results.  My toe for instance.  I did not expect it to flare up, but the end results are the same as always–pain in my foot and a difficult time walking.  While it is feeling much better (only bruised from the shot I had to get), I still wish it hadn't happened.  The unexpected result also brought about the expected result of murdering my accountability log.  All of the red on my accountability log is the direct result of the toe problem.  With that said, this unexpected event also lead me to push harder than ever and I added a weight workout today to make up for the shift in my lifting schedule due to the toe problem.

It isn't just my toe that has been unexpected.  I am dealing with an issue (mentioned in an earlier blog post) that was pretty unexpected, but at the same time, deep in my heart, I knew was coming.  Yesterday brought more news on that front. Again, this time it was totally unexpected, but the results of it were expected.  Those involved are reacting exactly as I thought they would when I heard the news.  There's no need to worry about me.  I've come to terms with what is happening and believe that it might even be the best thing for everyone involved.  One person in particular cannot hurt anyone else if things go the way I expect.

It is just amazing how people can disappoint each other.  It happens almost daily.  Sometimes the disappointment is small and other times it is devastating.  As a bystander, all you can do is help to pick up the pieces. 

This blog is here because I don't want to disappoint myself again.  I've worked for more than a year to lose the fat that I carry around.  Until I started this blog, I was met with only minor success.  I've lost 13% body fat and 15 pounds of fat since I first tried to lose the fat.  However, since blogging, I have dropped 8% body fat and 10 pounds of fat.  Most of my success has been a direct result of this accountability blog.  It has lead me to discover that accountability is a powerful tool.  It is so powerful that I've begun using it in my professional life with my staff.  I have come up with ways for them to be accountable to me on a daily basis.  Productivity has skyrocketed.

When you learn to expect the unexpected, you plan for all possible outcomes.  I had a plan in place prior to this problem happening and it has worked.  I am certain that my results this week will be pleasing to me.  I feel a difference in my body that I haven't felt in weeks.

Accountability Log:

Nutrition Log:

Workout Log:

The moral of the story is that planning and accountability effect your entire life.  Things go smoothly when both are in place.  It is hard to be a disappointment when you have a bunch of people counting on you because you just don't want to let them down.

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

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Being involved in business, I tend to think in terms of year over year comparisons.  Well, with today there is no copmparison.  It is always interesting when February 29 comes around.  Today is no different.

As promised in yesterday's post, I got up and hit the gym this morning and had a killer workout (see log below).  It felt liberating to overcome the toe pain and hit the weights.  I have my gut to motivate me and it is a very large motivating factor — no pun intended.

I am very tired today so this is going to be all I post.  My logs are looking good today.

Accountability Log:

Nutrition Log:

Workout Log:

The workout was awesome.  I'm pushing weights I never thought I'd be able to push.  The systematic method of adding weights or reps each time really seems to work for strength.

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

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That's the sound of the weights clanging durng my workout tomorrow morning!  That's right, toe and all, I'm hitting the weights tomorrow morning and hard!  Nothing is keeping me out of the gym for at least my weight workout.  If I can't do cardio, I'm going to pump up those muscles to change my metabolism in another way.  No mercy!  That's my battle cry.

I missed all workouts today due to my inflammed right big toe.  I was able to see the doctor.  He gave me a cortisone injection (ouch), had blood work done and ordered an x-ray (I go next Tuesday).  He wants to be sure that the arthritis isn't eating the joint in the big toe.  If it is, he wants to start taking action to prevent it from getting worse.

I have decided to extend my cut by 2 weeks so that I can hit the cardio very hard (after the foot heals).

I stuck to my nutrition schedule today.  I was up at 3 a.m. but the foot was even worse than yesterday.  I couldn't sleep last night from the throbbing in the toe.  I wound up watching Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood, an episode I had recorded on my DVR.  It is amazing how hard that guy works.  His wife is no different.  They are both extremely driven individuals.  It got me thinking again.

Motivation comes in so many different forms.  It really is up to you, the individual, to figure out wha motivates you and go for it.  Set goals, but plan some “prize” for yourself if you achieve the goals.  Pick a “prize” that will motivate you.  It really doesn't matter what it is. At the same time, you need to be strict about your diet, but sprinkle in cheat meals at set intervals.  The cheat meals are motivation in their own way.  You know you have one just around the corner, so you stick to your plan when you feel like jumping off.

Once motivated, your drive takes over.  You get the engine started with the motivation, you keep it running with your drive.  Drive is grit.  Drive is sticking to the plan. Drive is the analysis you do of your results.  Drive is what's in side of you.  Dig down deep and find it!

Accountability Log:

Nutrition Log:

Workout Log:

Check back tomorrow and you will see that I've been victorious and have hit the gym for my weight lifting.  I will not “miss” the workout, it will get pushed forward one day.  Honestly, I still have DOMS from my Tuesday lower body workout.  I feel it in every inch of my legs. It is an awesome feeling!

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

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Today got off on the wrong foot–literally.  I wasn't able to really walk when I woke up for my morning cardio, so I had to completely skip it.  I hate the idea of missing a workout, but if I had done any kind of cardio my foot would be 3 times the size it is now.

The inflammation has increased steadily.  I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to have it looked at. 

There wasn't much else going on today so this is going to be a short post.

Accountability Log:

Nutrition Log:

Higher calorie and higher carb day (refeed day) today.

Workout Log:

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

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I woke up this morning and the arthritis in my right foot was inflamed.  This happens several times a year and it gets very painful.  If you've ever seen pictures of gout on a foot, that's what my foot starts to look like.  The big toe joint gets swollen and red and it is painful to walk on.

I headed out to the gym and did my lifting workout.  I also stretched and did my Flatten Your Abs workout as well.  I hit another personal best on my squats (see the log below).

As stated yesterday, I'm on a “no mercy” mission these days and having the foot act up just solidifies that attitude.  I managed to go out and do my workout and even best myself on my squats despite the problem with the foot.  This made me proud.  I've come a long way since starting all of this.  At the same time, once I was warmed up, the foot hurt less.

I also did my steady state cardio in the afternoon as planned.

Not alot of philosophical ideas today.  It was just a long day of work and I'm burnt out.

Accountability Log:

Nutrition Log:

I've found something that works for me, so that's why the log here is pretty dull.  I am eating mostly chicken because I like how it tastes.  My starchy carbs are mostly oatmeal with some brown rice at times.  I know how much I need to eat to hit my calorie numbers, so I am sticking with this for now, boring or not.

Workout Log:

275 pounds on the 1-1/4 squat!  I can't wait to see what I can do for straight squats!  I decided to really push hard on the final set and that's the closest I've come to complete failure on squats. It was sort of scary really.

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

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